It is our vision that future generations will ponder the stars and touch the grass - and that with each touch, they too will love the land. We will therefore continue to preserve as much open space as possible; undeveloped land with scenic, ecological, or other unique conservation values. .

Since 1992, the Texas Trails Network (TTN) has been promoting quality development and management of trails, providing a forum to address trail-related concerns, and advocating a statewide trails system network.

In the Dallas Fort Worth vicinity, there are at least 39 varieties of snakes. Of these 39, only 7 are venomous. Fortunately these are relatively easy to identify. For any assistance with identifying a snake you have found you can either consult this guide or email a jpeg of the snake in question (email).

Area map with hotspots for local hike and bike trails. Click the links to get downloadable PDF file describing the trails. To download the files, right click on the links, then click "... save target as."

Nature Trails on Wildwood (cross street to California Crossing at the river). Excellent trail system. (Keep an eye out for water moccasins and rattlesnakes)

Hiking trails along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, through deeply wooded river bottoms and around wetlands provide excellent wildlife watching opportunities early in the morning and at dusk. Trails are very muddy so be prepared. California Crossing near the Nat'l Guard Armory (a small lake and off-road bike trail).

Good trail system off parking area on East side Wildwood. approx. 300 acres. A group of four unpaved hiking trails (1.5 - 4 miles) in a dense wilderness area run along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Off-road bicycling is not permitted.

Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Farm Sanctuary is a non-profit wildlife rescue organization specializing in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured, sick, or orphaned birds, farm animals and wildlife. RWRC is the only all-species avian rehabilitation facility, USDA-licensed farm sanctuary, environmental education center and wildlife preserve in North Texas. See the Mission Statement and History.

The area covers 633 acres, with 10 miles of hiking trails, and boasts one of the highest elevations in the Metroplex at 755 feet above sea level. This preserve is a part of the Dallas County Trail and Preserve Program and under the management of the Audubon Society.

The mission of Audubon Dallas is the conservation of birds and other wildlife, the protection of habitat and biodiversity, and the provision of education and opportunities for our entire community to observe and appreciate birds and nature.

Located at Wintergreen and Duncanville roads, Windmill Hill is a great place for hiking! These 75 acres of land have been set aside by the City of DeSoto and Dallas County as a nature preserve. DeSoto has a 99-year lease from Dallas County on this property.

"...a continuous public-access recreation corridor with a multi-use trail along the Trinity River Corridor in North Central Texas including all of Dallas and its suburban areas, northward to the Red River and westward throughout all of Fort Worth."

Since 1990 there have been hundreds of meetings, discussions, public forums, newsletter articles, newspaper columns, radio talk shows and TV news bites about the Trinity River. In the early 1990’s they continued to pound on the problems of the Trinity -- dead bodies found along the river banks, water pollution from an industry, and so forth.

Over the last few years, the focus has changed. While there are still problems, now much of the attention is on the future of the Trinity River -- and most of it is presented as positive. Successful bond elections. River festivals. New funding for the next trails segment. New education programs and facilities. Editorials lauding citizen efforts. Statements by the Mayor of Dallas stressing the importance of the Trinity to the city. A new vision of the Trinity River has emerged -- a COMMON VISION --

SAFE Trinity River, with stabilization and reduction of flooding risks

CLEAN Trinity River, with fishable and swimmable waters

ENJOYABLE Trinity River, with recreational opportunities linked by a trails system within a world-class greenway

NATURAL Trinity River, with preservation and restoration of riparian and cultural resources

DIVERSE Trinity River, with local & regional economic, transportation and other public needs addressed

The Dallas Park and Recreation Department maintains more than 21,000 park acres including 17 lakes with 4,400 surface acres of water at 17 park sites, 17,196 acres of greenbelt / park land, and 61.60 miles of jogging and bike trails at 24 locations

Most of the major Hike/Bike trails for the Dallas County area are listed on this interactive map. Several examples follow.

http://www.texasbuckeyetrail.org - This site has a downloadable trail map and exact directions on how to get there! It is a project in work that will include Flora and Fauna of the Forest, Natural History, Human History, etc. Also, FREE guided hikes are available by TX Master Naturalist volunteers.

A primitive three-quarter mile spur from this trail will take visitors to truly unique place in the Great Trinity Forest, a large grove of Texas Buckeye trees (Aesculus arguta) on the Trinity River in Dallas.

Numerous natural trails (1-3 miles) meander through limestone bluffs overlooking the Great Trinity Forest. The area used to be an American Indian campground where lookouts were posted on the natural limestone bluffs. The trails meander up and down the cliffs.

Environmental education activities at LLELA are currently spearheaded at the Cicada Wetland Trail, located just below the Lewisville Lake Dam. This approximately 1.5 mile natural surface trail winds through two different wetland areas and a riparian hardwood forest along the historic Elm Fork channel of the Trinity River.

Provide information about the walking, hiking, biking, and equestrian trails in Denton County using Google Earth 5.0 for mapping the trails and Google Sites for the central website for pictures and general information. Whenever possible, videos, slide shows, and historic information are provided for visitors.

Silver Lake Nature TrailConstructed in 1996 as an Eagle Scout Project, this natural surface trail is approximately 3/8 of a mile in length. The area is mainly used for off-road bicycle trail riders.

Bluestem Nature Trail Named for a native prairie grass which can still be found in the Cross Timbers region, this natural surface trail is a little less than 1/2 mile in length. Located in Twin Coves Campground, the trail is for use by campers only or by special arrangement through the Grapevine Lake Office. When hiking on the trail be aware of poison ivy and stinging insects. An interpretive brochure is available from the campground gate attendant.

The Moments in Time Hike/Bike Trail was built in 2006. It is an eight-foot wide concrete trail traversing 2.17 miles from the Granbury Airport to Shanley Park/Houston Street Park, north of the Historic Downtown Square. Parking locations and restroom facilities are located along the trail

One of the most beautiful and pristine old-growth forests in the state, Lennox Woods Preserve is a vital refuge for several rare species of plant and animal communities.

Located about 10 miles from Clarksville, this 375-acre tract is managed by the Nature Conservancy. Natural communities include old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, pine-oak upland forest, and a small pecan bayou along an intermittent stream. This is some of the oldest remaining forest in Texas. Some of the post oak trees are 300 years old, and the loblolly pine trees are around 200 years old. This is an important habitat for species that prefer old-growth forests, such as pileated and red-cockaded woodpeckers. The rare Arkansas meadow-rue can also be found here

Lake Mineral Wells State Park, located east of Mineral Wells in Parker County, consists of 3282.5 acres, encompassing Lake Mineral Wells. The Trailway is 20 miles long and ten feet wide. The 2 miles of surface from the downtown Mineral Wells trailhead toward the east is asphalt; the remaining 18 miles is finely crushed and screened limestone.

White bass anglers know this lake well as a high quality fishery, especially during the spring spawning run. However the lake offers very good fishing for hybrid striped bass, channel catfish and crappie as well.

Crosstimbers Connection takes small groups of kids and family members out to see reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife in north Texas. Walking through the woods, creeks, and prairies, we get a chance to see the animals that live there and learn about how they live.

We do this at no charge, because we believe it is important to give kids and families more opportunities of this kind.

Village Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant Drying Beds is a bit of a mouthful, so most people call it Village Creek Drying Beds (VCDB) or just Village Creek. The 240-acre site comprises of c. 45 two-acre ponds surrounded by a levee, plus some swampy woodland and damp meadows just outside the levees. This is just one site of many.

GET OUTDOORS WHEREVER YOU ARE !!!Use the National Wildlife FederationNATURE FIND

Find kid-friendly nature resources everywhere and anywhere!

DFW Area State ParksRecreation and nature activities opportunities abound within Texas State Parks of the North Central Texas region.

DFW BikeWeb Home PageThe Bicycle-Pedestrian Trail Information System for Dallas-Fort Worth. This site provides a wealth of information about existing and future bicycle and pedestrian trails in the DFW metropolitan planning area with am interactive map.

Trinity Trails SystemDetails on the Trinity Trail System Nature, Hiking, and Recreation areas in North Central Texas.

Regional Area Trail FundingThe Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the allocation of $2.2 million in federal funds for Texas trail projects at its Aug. 31 meeting. The recreational trail projects will provide new or improved opportunities for hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, off-road motor vehicle enthusiasts and nature viewers.

Scenic Routes in North & North Central TexasAn excellent resource for those who enjoy viewing the outdoor splendor of North Texas by automobile. Here you'll find regional tour information with maps, planned routes, and review of nearby parks and recreational areas. Entertainment with hometown flavor.

Dallas Area BirdingBirding sightings, pictures, and species review in and around the Dallas County area.

Texas HikingTexas Hiking is your guide to the many opportunities to experience the wonder of the state of Texas as it was meant to be, on horseback excluded of course. We're building up a database of hiking trails all over Texas and will highlight them with descriptions and photos as fast as we can.

Texas Outside Interactive Map for North TexasThis resource is an interactive map where the user can click on to multiple levels of details. Links include regional, county and city parks with trails and recreational opportunities galore.

The Wetland Habitat Alliance Of TexasTo preserve, reclaim, and enhance wetland habitat in the state of Texas in a manner that promotes the wise use of our natural resources and the progress of our society.

The Nature Conservancy of TexasThe Nature Conservancy operates the largest private system of nature sanctuaries in the world--more than 1,500 preserves in the United States alone. Some are postage-stamp size, others cover thousands of acres. All of them safeguard imperiled species of plants and animals.

Northern Prairie Science CenterThe mission of Northern Prairie's Grasslands Ecosystem Initiative is work with others to assess the biotic resources of the Great Plains, to facilitate information sharing among agencies, organizations, and individuals, and to synthesize that information.

UT Biodiversity Resources and CollectionsA rich diversity and wealth of natural history collections reside in various divisions of the University of Texas at Austin. This list offers electronic visits to this collection via the World Wide Web.